Ferrari must have UK base for F1 operation says Briatore

Ferrari should consider adding a UK base to their Formula 1 operation, according to former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

The Italian team is believed to have offered to double Adrian Newey’s current salary to lure him from Red Bull, with some estimating the potential pay-day at $40 million.

But one reason the Briton said ‘no’ could be because he would have to move his family from the UK’s so-called ‘motor sport valley’ all the way to northern Italy.

“I have always said that logistics is one of Ferrari’s problems,” Briatore is quoted as having told Sky Italia in Monaco. “In my opinion, Ferrari must have a base in the UK, where all of the technology of Formula 1 is concentrated.”

“At Maranello it is difficult to create an effective team and to recruit these British engineers,” Briatore said. “Other teams are well aware of this and that is why they are located in the UK.”

Briatore also said it will be a challenge for Ferrari’s new team boss Marco Mattiacci to turn around the fabled team’s troubles.

“He needs time,” he said. “He will be judged by the results. Certainly Ferrari has everything, along with a budget that as a team leader I never had. But to reorganise a team takes leadership and clear ideas.” (GMM)